(no subject)

I'm applying for a program designed to help early-career psychologists develop as independent researchers in the field of HIV and communities of color. One part of the application asks for an honest assessment of the "strengths and weaknesses of the applicant's current capacity" in this area.

I did a little brainstorming, and here's what I came up with off-the-cuff:

Strengths:
Experience
Population access
Clinical acumen with research population
Broad involvement with/knowledge about many research areas within HIV
Communication and writing skills
Cultural competence working with African-Americans
R21 – already funded in this area for an exploratory/developmental grant
Developed research ideas

Weaknesses:
Isolation at my current institution
Weak statistical background
No prior experience in intervention research
White as a freaking piece of paper

...Okay, so maybe that last item shouldn't make it into the final edit of the application. But it's something that I'm acutely aware of, and I'd be kidding myself to say that it won't be a disadvantage. I like to think that I have the skills and awareness to do this work well, and yet.

I wonder how the Great Cultural Appropriation Debate extends to research.